The PCC said: "The continuing criticism that has been directed at the Chief Constable and the eroding trust and confidence in South Yorkshire Police I have been left with no choice other than to suspend David Crompton from his duties.

"I have reached this decision with a heavy heart following discussions with David."

Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall, whose son James died in the tragedy, welcomed the suspension.

"The system, the police force of South Yorkshire, ought to be ashamed of themselves and hang their heads in shame," she told crowds gathered at a vigil in Liverpool in memory of those who died,

She added: "Let's hope that's only the beginning of what's going to happen - we have had 27 years of sleepless nights - let's hope you are getting yours now."

About 30,000 were estimated to be at the vigil, where flowers and scarves were laid on the steps of St George's Hall in the city centre.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Media captionThousands attend a vigil in Liverpool to remember the 96 people who died in the disaster

Mr Burnham, who has backed the campaign for justice for the Hillsborough victims, had called for Mr Crompton's resignation in the House of Commons.

He said the force had gone back on its 2012 public apology following the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report.

Image caption
Hillsborough families were greeted with the chant Justice For The 96 at the vigil following the inquests

Mr Burnham said: "Shamefully, the cover-up continued in this Warrington court room. Millions of pounds of public money were spent retelling discredited lies.

"Lawyers for retired officers threw disgusting slurs; those for today's force tried to establish that others were responsible for the opening of the gate.

"If the police had chosen to maintain its apology, these inquests would have been much shorter."

Responding to calls for the force to be disbanded, Dr Billings said it was "too big a step".

Analysis by Danny Shaw, BBC Home Affairs correspondent

Although the PCC Dr Alan Billings suggests the decision to suspend David Crompton was triggered by reaction to the Hillsborough verdict, Mr Crompton's position has been under intense scrutiny for several years.

In 2013 he had to apologise after accusing a Hillsborough campaign group of lying. In a memo written before the Independent Panel report on the tragedy, Mr Crompton had said his force needed to be "innovative" in its media handling otherwise they'd "just be roadkill."

A year later, he came in for further criticism over South Yorkshire Police's search of Sir Cliff Richard's home, and last month a damning report revealed serious flaws in the way the force investigated child sexual exploitation.

After the report was released, Mr Crompton announced he'd be retiring in November.

Dr Billings' action could hasten the chief constable's departure but it illustrates a wider point: the power wielded by directly-elected police and crime commissioners. It is the fourth time since November 2012 that a PCC has suspended a chief constable - something that was very rarely seen under the previous system of police authorities.

Lawyers acting on behalf of the 22 of the families welcomed the suspension.

The statement from Broudie Jackson Canter said: "We hope and expect that his conduct will be subject to the rigorous and impartial scrutiny which has so long been denied to the families."

Deputy Chief Constable Dawn Copley has temporarily taken over the chief role.

In a statement, she said she had been "asked to act as Temporary Chief Constable" by the PCC "which I have agreed to do".

"This is a significant day for South Yorkshire Police.

"However, we are absolutely determined to maintain our focus on delivering the best possible policing services to the communities of South Yorkshire," she added.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Media captionShadow home secretary Andy Burnham said he blamed South Yorkshire Police's "leadership and culture, which seems rotten to the core"

The fans died as a result of a crush during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on 15 April 1989.

Mrs May said the jury found that blunders by South Yorkshire's police and ambulance services "caused or contributed to" the deaths as a result of the disaster.

The jury also concluded that Liverpool fans were not to blame for what happened.

She read out the potential offences under investigation including gross negligence manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, perjury and perverting the course of justice.

John Joyce, 72, who was at Sheffield Wednesday's ground on the day of the disaster, said like the families of the dead, he too wanted to see the police prosecuted.

"From day one they were at fault. They called us robbers, pickpockets and everything. Rubbish. They switched the statements, it's been hard. I was at the game, I was in the stands, that's why I have lived with it for 27 rotten years," he said.